Verlin adds four new Vandals

Share this story

MOSCOW – Idaho men’s basketball coach Don Verlin has bolstered his roster for the 2013-14 season with the addition of four players, he announced Wednesday.

Bira Seck, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Olney Central College; Mike Scott, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Antelope Valley Junior College; Paulin Mpawe, a 6-foot-9 PF/C from San Bernardino Valley Junior College and “Suki” Wiggs, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Kingdom Prep Academy will join the Vandals this fall.

Seck averaged 8.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for OCC in 2012-13. He will have two years of eligibility when he arrives at Idaho.

“Bira is a tremendous athlete with a huge motor,” Verlin said. “He can do it all on the basketball court. He can defend guards and bigs, he rebounds above the rim and has a good skill set offensively. A player that can play multiple positions is always a plus and Bira can definitely do that.”

Scott was the leading scorer for Antelope Valley JC in 2012-13, averaging 12.7 points to go along with 4.7 assists per game. He started all 29 games for AVC and earned California All-State honors while leading the team to a 20-9 record. Scott attended Washington Prep HS in Los Angeles and earned league MVP and first-team All-Los Angeles City honors. His Washington Prep team reached the Final Four of Los Angeles. Scott will have two seasons of eligibility at Idaho.

“Mike is an outstanding young man as well as a player,” Verlin said. “His instincts for the game and ability to make plays make him a great addition to the point guard position. He played in a great program at Antelope Valley for John Taylor which uses a style very similar to ours and therefore the transition to Idaho should be a smooth one next year. Mike will be a great Vandal.”

Mpawe led San Bernardino Valley JC to a 22-9 overall record and an appearance in California’s Final Eight in 2012-13. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during his freshman campaign in 2012-13. Mpawe, who originally signed with Pepperdine coming out of high school before enrolling at San Bernardino Valley JC, will have three years of eligibility with the Vandals.

“Getting a big man with three years remaining with Paulin’s upside is a tremendous get for our program,” Verlin said. “He has all the skills to be successful but needs to add strength and weight to be an elite player for us. He is very motivated and after meeting (Idaho strength and conditioning coach) Jake Scharnhorst on his visit it became very clear to him that Idaho was a great fit. Again, like the others we signed today, he is a tremendous young man and is going to be a great addition to the Vandal family.”

Wiggs attended NACA Division III national champion Kingdom Prep Academy in Columbus, Ga., after a successful high school career at Seattle’s O’Dea High School. At OHS, Wiggs averaged 17.6 points and 4.8 assists per game during his senior season.

“Suki is a big, strong and athletic point guard that will be able to solidify our backcourt immediately,” Verlin said. “He is a great penetrator and can knock down the open shot, but his best asset is his leadership qualities he displays on the court. He has played point guard his entire career and knows how the position is played, therefore knows how to lead. He loves the game and he displays that when he’s on the court. He has a magnetic personality.”